Another "Start Up " problem!

redgar · 01-01-2008, 03:16 PM

I have noticed a couple of other threads on the bike not starting, so I apologize for another, but my issue is a bit different. One issue that I have (and its totally my fault) is getting back into consistent riding. With all my obstacles, I haven't rode much at all over the past year. I haven't even started the bike up on a regular basis, as instructed. But I made up my mind that I am going to take my riding very seriously this next season and I wanted to get prepared. Problem is, my bike is not cooperating with me. I can't get it started.

The few times I have tried the last six months, I was able to get it started, but it took about fifteen minutes of trying. I'd press start button, increase the choke, then turn of the power and repeat. For fifteen minutes, which I know can't be good. I just got a new battery because the old one was dead. I just went out to start it up and it seems like it wants to start, but it just won't. It also backfired on me twice. Any ideas on whats up? Is it the bike(fluids, spark plugs, etc.), or is it just going to take some continuous attempts to start it? Could the cold weather have anything to do with it(20-40 degrees)? Or did I flood it?

Another problem that I just noticed about the new battery is that the screws it came with don't tighten in the terminal. They are too small and I found that the ones I bought last night were too small, too. I will look again, but is it possible that the positive/negative clamps aren't tight enough against the terminals? Get at me, PLEASE.

RayOSV · 01-01-2008, 03:53 PM

The battery terminal clamps should be able to be tightened down. Do you still have the original screws? As long as the starter motor is turning over the engine fast enough, this won't be a problem yet.

If your bike has carbs and you left unstabilized gas in the tank for 6-12 months, the gas in the carbs is likely started to turn to varnish gumming everything up. For a start, you might try running some Sea Foam or Berrymans carb cleaner with fresh gas through the tank after draining all the old gas from the tank and carb bowls. It will run rough for a while, but eventually smooth out. If that doesn't work, you may need to take the carbs off and give them a good cleaning.